Book-rest.



J. 1. SLEEPER.

BOOK REST.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5 1915.

1,235,070. Patented J lily '31, 1917.

E. 7915 8mm a zmzs'z e a- JOSEPH J". SLEEPER, OF MOORES,

PENNSYLVANIA.

BOOK-REST.

Application filed April 5, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J osnrn J. SLEEPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moores, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Rests, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in book rests, the object of the invention being to provide a book rest which is adapted to be supported on the body of the user, and which will support the weight of the book, relieving the arms of the reader of the tiresome work of holding a heavy book.

A further object is to provide a book rest which will support the book in proper posi tion for reading, studying or working, and holding the book in proper focus for the eye,

said rest being capable of a wide range of adjustment to suit the desire and needs of the user.

A further object is to provide a book rest of the character described which can be manufactured and sold at an extremely low price, and which can be folded and stored away in relatively small space when not in use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation illustrating my improved book rest in position on the body of the user.

Fig. 2 is a view of the book rest folded.

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the book rest in open operative position.

Fig. 4C is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one leg and its connection.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section illustrating the manner of adjusting the leg, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section illustrating how the book tray may be folded in either direction.

My improved book rest comprising two parallel angle bars 1, 1, which are connected by rivets 2 with a book supporting tray 3. The tray 3 is of sheet metal having flanges 4: at its sides and at one end, and it will be noted particularly by reference to Fig. 6 that the rivets 2 are in a plane sufficiently be- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

Serial No. 19,337.

yond the surface of the bars 1 to allow the tray to fold downwardly in either direction, and as the tray is supported nearer one end of the bars 1 than the other, it is advisable to fold said tray against the bars, so that the device will occupy the minimum of space.

Bars 1, 1, are provided with a series of openings 5 adapted to receive the pointed ends 6 of pivoted braces 7, said braces being pivotally secured to the side flanges 4 of the tray 3. These braces are relatively thin, so that they will lie between the tray and the bars 1 when the device is folded.

The pointed ends 6 are located at one edge of the braces, sothat shoulders 8 are provided at the ends of the braces which bear against the bars 1 and securely support the tray 3 in any position of angular adjustment.

To the bars 1, adjacent their ends, legs 9 are pivotally connected. One of these legs is shown clearly in Fig. 4:, in which it will be noted that the leg is made of two angular sections 10 and 11, the latter having a longitudinal slot 12 to receive a bolt 13 secured by a thumb nut 14 to permit the adjustment of the leg.

Furthermore, the angular formation of the leg enables the same to be folded against the bar 1, and limit the pivotal movement in one direction, hence preventing the accidental collapse of the frame when in position on the body.

In other words, one side of the angular leg is extended up beside the bar 1, and pivotally connected by rivet 23, while the other member of the angular leg extends under the bar 1 and operates as a stop to limit the pivotal movement of the leg in one direction.

Cords or other flexible devices 15 connect the lower ends of the legs 9, and operate as a support against the body and also prevent spreading of the legs. A. strap 16 composed of two sections is secured to the bars 1 and rendered adjustable by means of a buckle 20. This strap 16 is adapted to be passed around the neck of the user as shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, I illustrate in dotted lines a figure 21 showing how the book support is positioned against the body with the strap 16 around the neck of the figure, and I have located a book 22 on the book supporting tray 8, Which gives a clear idea of how the user can support the book without the strain upon his arms.

The user can manipulate the book to turn the pages, or he can assist the tray in supporting the book if he desires to share the Weight of the book, but the great bulk of the weight is relieved, so that it does not tire the reader even though the book is heavy.

lVhile I have illustrated the figure in a sitting or standing posture, it is to be understood that the several parts are capable of a wide range of adjustment, so that the book support may be used in almost any position of the body, and I do not limit myself to the particular use indicated.

I have also referred to the pivots 2 and 23 as rivets, but the invention is of course not limited to such details as I may use other forms of pivotal connection, and I may use other means for adjustably connecting the leg sections 10 and 11.

I do not limit myself, therefore, to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

l. A device of the character described, comprising parallel angle bars, legs pivotally connected to the angle bars and adapted to bear against the body of the user, each of said legs having one of its sides cut away to engage the outer surface of said bars to limit the pivotal movement of said legs, a tray pivotally connected'to the bars and adapted to be folded thereagainst or positioned at an angle thereto, and braces adjustably supporting the tray against the bars, and adapted to be located against the bars When the tray is folded, substantially as described.

2. A device of the character described,

comprising parallel angle bars, a tray pivotally connected to the angle bars and adapted to be folded down upon the bars, braces pivotally connected to the tray, said bars having a plurality of openings to receive the ends of the braces, adjustable legs pivotally connected to the bars, said legs having angular formation and projected under the bars, whereby the pivotal movement of the legs is limited in one direction, and a strap connected to the bars and adapted to be positioned around the neck of the user, substantially as described.

3. A device of the character described,

JOSEPH J. SLEEPER.

Witnesses:

MARIE JACKSON, CHAS. E. Porrs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

